Courtesy is Key

You know that Golden Rule, “Treat others how you would like to be treated?” Well, that applies to driving too. Be a courteous driver just as you would like other drivers to be courteous to you. When you lead by example with your patience and mindfulness, you can actually reduce your OWNfrustration behind the wheel, as well as other drivers’ frustration. Follow TrafficSchool.com’s tips to maintain the level of courtesy necessary to drive safely and not upset other drivers:

STAY OFF YOUR PHONE! Unless it is an emergency.

If you prefer to drive at a slower pace, move into the right lane. If it’s a single lane road, look for a turnout where you can pull over so faster moving vehicles can pass you.

When traveling with kids, make sure you have plenty of items or toys to keep them occupied so you can focus on driving.

Don’t weave in and out of traffic lanes, and when you are changing lanes, always use your turn signal.

Avoid following other drivers too closely or “tailgating.”

Simple, right? You don’t want to be part of a chain reaction of bad driving because you’re taking your frustration out on the road and on other drivers.

Be the start of a courteous chain reaction instead; the Golden Rule is called “Golden” for a reason! Go for gold!

The What, Why & How

What Is It? Smog is a type of air pollution, originally used to describe the smoke and fog created by the burning of large amounts of coal within a city. Modern smog refers to a type of air pollution caused by traffic emissions – such as from trucks, buses, and automobiles. The smog in Los Angeles is an example of such air pollution.

Why Do Smog Tests? The smog check makes sure vehicles meet the government’s requirements for environmental air quality and ensures cars with excessive emissions are repaired to reduce air pollution. Smog tests are required in many states and counties – be sure to check your specific area’s requirements.

How It Works: A smog test is performed by putting the vehicle on a platform where the front or back wheels drop down on a spinning tube. This is so that your car can be accelerated without moving, while a sensor placed inside the exhaust pipe measures the exhaust emitted. The sensor communicates this information to a computer, thereby displaying whether the vehicle passes the government’s standards.

Tips to Pass Your Smog Test:

Make sure your exhaust system has no holes or leaks. You can fail the smog test if your car emissions are too low as well.

Replace any old hoses, air filters, and wires and check your oil.

A warm engine is more likely to pass the smog test than a cold one. Take a 20 minute drive prior to your smog test.

Getting your vehicle smog tested can be a hassle and an added expense, but the benefits far outweigh the cost to keep our air and our planet clean.